Helping them cope with death & serious illness of a Loved One
Course Overview
As world population ages, we are witnessing an increased number of deaths and illnesses across the globe. Many families have experienced the death of family members or their loved ones developing serious illnesses. Naturally, children and adolescents are affected psychologically and emotionally.
Grief and loss is a process; it may be experienced from the onset of the event, eg cancer prognosis, but may not end when the family member dies. Children and youths, too, will experience grief and loss. However, they experience and exhibit grief and loss differently from adults. Unless parents, caregivers, and mental health professionals are trained, they will likely miss signs that their children are struggling emotionally, or know how to support them adequately. As a result of lack of practical support, these children may develop emotional, mental, or behavioral baggages that hinder them throughout their entire lives.
This workshop is designed to equip participants with a good understanding of the grief and loss process in children and youth. Participants will learn to identify signs of grief and loss in children. They will practice helpful strategies to help children and youths.
This workshop has 3 parts. Part 1 walks through the grief and loss process in children. Through an experiential exercise, participants will reflect on their own experiences with grief and loss in order to explore their own comfort level in supporting grieving children. Part 2 teaches practical skills and tools to support a grieving child/youth upon death of a loved one. Part 3 focuses on how to support a child when a loved one is diagnosed with a serious illness.
Target Audience
This workshop is suitable for participants with or without psychological background. It is suitable for:
- Social workers, Counsellors and Psychologists
- Educators
- Medical Social Workers working in hospitals and medical institutions
- Pastoral care and welfare staff
Duration
9 am to 5 pm
Workshop Topics:
Part 1: Grief and Loss in Children
- What is grief and loss?
- How society and culture shape grief and loss
- Impact of loss on the family system
- Common misconception of grief and loss in children?
- Experiential Exercise for participants to know:
- their own process and mechanism in dealing with grief and loss
- their comfort level to support grieving children and youth
Part 2: Supporting a Child When a Loved One Dies
- The stages of grief, and how children and youths experience those stages.
- The developmental stages and manifestation of grief for children and youths.
- Impact of developmental stages and needs on how children cope, in particular with the death of a loved one.
- Warning signs to look out for in children and youths experiencing grief upon death
- How to support children and youths experiencing grief upon death
Part 3: Supporting a Child When a Loved One is Diagnosed with Serious Illness
- Research on psychological and emotional impact of children and youths whose family member is diagnosed with serious illness
- Warning signs to look out for in children and youth upon diagnosis
- Practical strategies and skills to support the grieving child upon diagnosis